Colwell: Indiana's biggest spending mayoral race ever is ... not local
The biggest spending mayoral race in Indiana history will be decided Tuesday.
In case you haven’t been paying much attention to mayoral races around here, that expensive race with a lot riding on the outcome is NOT in:
∙ South Bend, where Republican mayoral nominee Desmont Upchurch reported only $22.61 in cash on hand for the final weeks of the race. Mayor James Mueller, the Democratic incumbent, is expected to win a second term in a breeze.
∙ Mishawaka, where, Mayor Dave Wood, the Republican incumbent seeking a fourth full term, will win even easier. He is unopposed.
∙ Elkhart, where Rod Roberson, the Republican incumbent, is sure to win a second term. He also is unopposed.
The costliest race this year, as you might guess, is in the biggest city, Indianapolis. But it’s not just the most expensive this year. It’s the biggest spending mayoral race ever anywhere in Indiana.
Column: Contributing to effective bipartisanship
Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett reported $6.16 million in funding in his final pre-election campaign finance report. And Republican challenger Jefferson Shreve reported more than twice that, $13.5 million, with $10.5 million of that provided by the wealthy candidate.
The candidate with the most funding doesn’t always win. In fact, Hogsett is regarded as ahead in Indianapolis.
But to have a chance for mayor in a city of any substantial size, a candidate needs at least enough funding to wage a real campaign and get out a message — mailings, television, social media, signs, staff, headquarters. Unless you’re an incumbent who scares off the opposition and runs unopposed.
In South Bend, Upchurch didn’t reach that necessary plateau of funding. He was basically written off by a St. Joseph County Republican organization that is well-funded but providing nothing for Upchurch.
He was ditched after disclosure of past guilty pleas to assault of a girlfriend and larceny over two decades ago in his home state of North Carolina. Upchurch asks voters to judge him as he is now, not from back then.
Party leaders also were displeased with Upchurch’s own fundraising and campaigning efforts for a county office and at the start of his mayoral race.
Upchurch has been able to get radio ads on four stations. Not much more he could do. His last campaign expense report showed raising $5,740.61 and spending $5,718, leaving only that $22.61 for his final campaign effort. For Mueller, it was $623,218 in contributions, $525,132 in expenditures, including a large TV buy, and $98,086 left for the close. He could have raised and spent much more if threatened.
The mayors of South Bend, Mishawaka and Elkhart — one Republican, two Democrats; two unopposed, one virtually unopposed — didn’t just happen to be in position for sure reelection. They led governmental efforts promoting the commercial and residential developments in their cities and have sought to improve policing and curb violence. They also promoted civic unity rather than political divisiveness. That brings popularity to ward off strong opposition.
In Indianapolis, with that intense, high-priced mayoral race, the results will have impact on state politics.
Indiana Democrats, suffering so many loses for so long in statewide races and in congressional and state legislative districts, hope to build some momentum in the city elections.
They won’t if they don’t continue to hold the mayor’s office in Indianapolis. Republicans would like to expand political control by defeating Democratic mayors in cities where Democrats still retain voter strength, including Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.
Indiana Democratic Chair Mike Schmuhl sees a chance to win in some cities now with Republican mayors. A good election night, Schmuhl says, would show Democrats “have some wind in their sails” and some future party leaders.
South Bend, Mishawaka and Elkhart elections Tuesday won’t feature exciting mayoral races, but there are significant contests for council seats and city clerk, important for a mayor and a city.
Jack Colwell is a columnist for The Tribune. Write to him in care of The Tribune or by email at jcolwell@comcast.net.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indianapolis' mayoral race is state's costliest ever
